Model: Unknown
Year: Unknown
Obtained: September 2012
Found: BikeWorks
Paid: $20.00
I am taking a break from the curb find Raleigh due to a stubborn #@$% bottom bracket cup and so I thought I would post another bike I am working on in tandem with the Raleigh, a 70's something Italian built Fiorelli.
Lots of chrome on the lugs and a crudely welded bottom bracket.
A rather weathered Brooks saddle but wing nut front hub bolts.
I am not really sure what to think but I am a sucker for Italian bikes and it was only $20 so I figured what the heck!
Based on the condition of the saddle, paint and chrome bits it obviously spent too much of its life outside and I am not really sure how much of it I can bring back to life but its worth a try. At the very least I can create a "shabby chic" Italian commuter for someone, rough on the outside mechanically sound on the inside Unlike the curb find Raleigh I have been able to take this bike down to the frame and so while I struggle with the Raleigh's BB cup I will begin working to bring this roughed up Italian back to La Vita Dolce. I am trying to be restrained in this build but I did already decide the headset was too rusty to deal with and have ordered a new Velo Orange Alloy ISO headset.
Ride. Smile. Repeat.
Hey Ryan
ReplyDeleteI hear you brother, I am the same way with anything Raleigh or Motobecane. The rust on the right (inside) seat stay where it connects to the dropout looks like it could be a problem. Often you will see little holes in the tubing that were made for the gas to escape during welding or brazing. The rust can get really bad in these spots. Especially on the inside where it is not really noticeable until you strip the bike down to the frame. Hopefully it is not as bad as it looks. It is all in the hands of the "Bicycle Gods" now. Hopefully I am not being the bearer of bad news here. Good Luck
Good eye Hugh, I do think that falls into the "looks worse than it is" category but I have a lot of "derustifcation" to do for this bike so I am going to be checking it all carefully. BTW I ordered a headset cup removal tool from your site to aid in replacing the headset.
ReplyDeleteCool. Let me know how that tool works out. I was reviewing the orders report and spotted that a head-set cup removal tool had been ordered. It didn't occur to me right away, but then I was thinking about your post and it hit me. That had to be Ryan! He is about to install a shiny new headset. Thanks for the order bro, and thanks for helping to spread the word. P.S. I like that word "derustification" :) it reminds me of Cameron over at the OTSG
ReplyDeleteCheers
Hugh for all I know Cameron is the one who came up with "Derustification" ;-) I will definitely let you know how the tool works, I almost went cheaper and did the Nashbar tool but it had poor reviews and it reminded me that paying for good tools is never a bad idea. Glad I could ring your cash register.
DeleteRyan
Hey Ryan, I see that you had rebuild,a 1979 miyata 912. I have one also. I posted some pics and and info on your miyata blog . Thanks
ReplyDeleteJesse
Hey Jesse I will check it out and reply in the Miyata post
DeleteIt looks like you have your work cut out for you with the Fiorelli. But that will make the finished product all that much better. Do you figure the parts migrated from some other frame or is this just an oddly configured vintage bike? Do you suppose there were once Campy bits and they got swapped out? The life and times of a bicycle...
ReplyDeletetj
Well since the cottered crank and BB are an earlier vintage and the fact that the bike was not built with banded downtube shifters in mind I would bet there was a parts migration at some point. I have secured some nice Suntour power ratchet stem mounted shifters for this build to solve that particular issue. You're right it will be some extra work but I am hoping it will pay off at least it will keep a bike out of the landfill at best it will get back a bit of its former Italian glory. Thanks for coming by Velo Brother
DeleteGood day I have the same bike it dates back to the mid 1960s . Mine is the same color, seat, everything is the as your pictures. Just so happens I still have mine from new it's one of those childhood things I can't part with I was 11 years old when parents gave it to me. Enjoy
DeleteMitchell thanks for stopping by and thanks for the info on the bike I can't find much on the web about them, do you have any pictures of your Fiorelli?
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteHow's the re-build going? What's the chainset? I have one on my Maffioletti.
Chris
Pathway thanks for your interest I finished the Fiorelli here -http://ryansrebuilds.blogspot.com/search?q=Fiorelli which includes a discussion of the "new" drive train. I have a 70's Torpado on the work-stand currently.
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